Dwyane Wade Won’t Join Chicago without another Big Name

Bulls management is telling teams they expect to take the bidding right to the Feb. 18 deadline. The Bulls want to avoid the possibility of Thomas accepting a $6.2 million qualifying offer on the eve of this summer’s free agency, which would deliver a major dent to their salary-cap space. Thomas, 23, will be a restricted free agent this summer.

The Bulls are desperate to recruit Miami’s Dwyane Wade(notes) back to his hometown, but one source familiar with Wade’s thinking says he’s ”far less” inclined to bolt Miami unless Chicago has the ability to sign a ”significant” free agent to join him.